Charlie Knuth, a small Wisconsin boy, will soon fight the battle of his life. But before heading to the Mayo Clinic, he was given a hero's send-off.

His fellow students lined the halls of Sunrise Elementary School in Darboy to wish Knuth their best. The 4-year-old will undergo life-saving surgery for a rare skin disease.

"I feel like special kid," he said.

Doctors hope a stem cell transplant will cure Knuth of painful blisters that have covered his body since birth. Family and friends say his courage is inspiring.

"He's like every other kid in 4K when he's here and that's how he treats it. And I think kids by looking at that say I can do that too," said John Schultz, the school's principal.

"I really like Charlie and I hope he has a good time," student Zachary Criter said.

"We did some prayers for him at night," said Eliana Humski, another student.

Knuth's classmates wrote letters to him that he can read during his recovery at the University of Minnesota's Children's Hospital. During his hospital stay, Knuth's family will live at the Ronald McDonald House.